SADC insists Zambia’s Maimbo validly nominated as region’s sole candidate for AfDB presidency

The Southern African Development Community (SADC) has denied allegations published by The Sunday Times of South Africa concerning the adoption and endorsement process of its candidate for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group.

The article, titled South Africa Defies SADC on African Development Bank Nomination and published on October 6, 2024, claimed that SADC deviated from standard procedures in selecting its regional candidate.

In a statement issued on Friday, SADC dismissed the allegations as “unfounded and false.”

“The SADC Secretariat wishes to clarify that the allegations outlined in the news article are unfounded and false,” the statement read.

Read more: SADC backs Zambia’s Maimbo for AfDB presidency at 44th summit

It explained that discussions on selecting the SADC candidate began during the SADC Summit of Heads of State and Government held in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2022.

SADC further clarified that during its 44th Summit in Zimbabwe on August 17, 2024, the Heads of State endorsed Dr. Samuel M. Maimbo, a Zambian national, as the region’s sole candidate for the AfDB presidency.

Dr. Maimbo currently serves as Vice President for Budget, Performance Review, and Strategic Planning at the World Bank Group.

Seven candidates from Angola, Botswana, Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia were interviewed, with Dr. Maimbo ranked first and South Africa’s Ms. Bajabulile Swazi Tshabalala coming in second.

SADC reiterated that the selection process was thorough and transparent, with the final recommendation for Dr. Maimbo made by the SADC Council of Ministers on August 16, 2024, following the report of the SADC Ministers of Finance and Investment.

SADC urged member states to support Dr. Maimbo’s candidacy, any suggestions of irregularities in the selection process.

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